Vehicle Electronics & Embedded Systems Engineer (Hybrid, CA)

About Glīd

Glīd is building a smarter way to move freight and rebuilding American logistics infrastructure from the railhead up by connecting road and rail through modern technology and thoughtful system design. Our mission is to unlock underutilized infrastructure and eliminate friction in first-mile logistics — reducing cost, emissions, and complexity across the supply chain.

We are growing a hands-on team that values clarity and practical execution. At Glīd, engineers don't just deliver designs — they help shape how the company works as it scales.

We're veterans, engineers, and operators building technology that serves people and communities — not the other way around. Our work represents the ultimate act of nation-building: strengthening the logistics infrastructure that underpins prosperity, resilience, and sovereignty.

The Mission

Glīd exists to rebuild American logistics infrastructure by synchronizing road and rail through modern vehicle platforms and intelligent systems. Our work focuses on unlocking existing infrastructure, increasing freight efficiency, and reducing the operational complexity that slows supply chains. By improving the first mile of logistics, we aim to strengthen economic resilience, national security, and long-term sustainability across the transportation network.

Role Overview

• Reports to: Head of Vehicle Engineering.
  
• Type: Full-time | Hybrid | travel as required.
  
• Location: Riverside, CA or San Francisco Bay Area, CA.
  

• Design and integrate vehicle electronics and embedded systems across Glīd platforms.
  
• Build and debug electrical systems, firmware, and prototype hardware.
  
• Lead system bring-up and integration across distributed vehicle architectures.
  
• Solve complex problems across hardware, firmware, and system-level integration.
  
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to take systems from concept to production.
  

Key Responsibilities

Firmware Integration & Vehicle Systems

• Own vehicle-level firmware integration across ECUs and distributed systems.
  
• Lead system bring-up, ECU communication, and integration debugging.
  
• Drive root cause analysis and issue resolution across firmware and electrical systems.
  
• Define firmware targets for each sprint and maintain stable vehicle builds.
  
• Coordinate firmware releases and communicate integration status to stakeholders.
  

Embedded Systems Development

• Develop embedded firmware for microcontroller-based systems.
  
• Implement low-level software components, including drivers, bootloaders, and hardware abstraction layers.
  
• Integrate sensors, controllers, and communication interfaces across vehicle networks.
  

Vehicle Communication Networks

Work with embedded communication protocols including CAN, CAN FD, LIN, I2C, and ISO-SPI.

Electrical & Hardware Development

• Design vehicle electrical systems, including wiring harnesses, connectors, and power distribution systems.
  
• Create electrical schematics and harness documentation.
  
• Support design and development of custom PCBAs for vehicle control systems.
  
• Bring up new hardware and support prototype builds and vehicle integration.
  

Testing & Validation

• Develop validation and verification plans for firmware and electrical systems.
  
• Build and modify prototype electronics and harness systems.
  
• Support vehicle testing and troubleshooting during development and pre-production.
  
• Ensure systems perform reliably under real-world operating conditions.
  

Why Join Glīd

At Glīd, you will help drive innovation in a mission-focused startup that is redefining freight logistics with autonomous, hybrid-powered vehicles. You will collaborate with a passionate team, contribute to real-world deployments, and impact the future of sustainable transportation.

A Note from Our Founder

"Logistics infrastructure isn't glamorous. It doesn't make headlines. But it's the foundation of everything — prosperity, sovereignty, and resilience.

At Glīd, we're not building a tech company that happens to touch logistics. We're rebuilding the infrastructure that makes America work. We're doing it with the precision and discipline of those who've served — whether in uniform, in their communities, or in the unglamorous work of building things that matter.

This role isn't for everyone. It's for someone who sees logistics as nation-building. Someone who understands that meaningful service takes many forms. Someone who's willing to build something that matters, even when it's hard.

If that's you — if you're ready to serve at the intersection of innovation, logistics, and national security — we'd be honored to have you on the team."

— Kevin Damoa, Founder & CEO, Glīd

Requirements

Required Qualifications

Core Experience

• Strong background in vehicle electronics and embedded systems.
  
• Comfortable working across both hardware and firmware development.
  
• Experience designing and integrating electrical systems in vehicle platforms.
  
• Hands-on experience with prototype development and system bring-up.
  

Electrical Systems

• Wiring harness design.
  
• PCBA design and component selection.
  
• Electrical schematics and system documentation.
  
• Power electronics and vehicle power distribution.
  

Embedded Software

• 5+ years embedded firmware development experience.
  
• Strong programming skills; experience with C and C++ preferred.
  
• Experience building device drivers, bootloaders, and hardware abstraction layers.
  
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
  
• Experience debugging complex embedded systems.
  

Communication Protocols

• Strong understanding of vehicle communication including CAN / CAN FD, LIN, I2C, and ISO-SPI.
  

Mindset

• Hands-on builder who enjoys solving difficult technical problems.
  
• Comfortable working in fast-moving startup environments.
  
• Able to operate both independently and collaboratively across teams.
  
• Willingness to take ownership of and drive technical decisions.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-voltage systems (60–800 VDC).
  

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $140,000 – $170,000.
  
• Equity.
  

What to Include

Please have the following ready to submit with your application: your resume or LinkedIn (we care about what you've built, not formatting), and 3–4 paragraphs answering why Glīd's mission resonates with you personally and what you bring to Glīd that will help drive our mission. Optionally, anything else that demonstrates you're the right person for this mission.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Glīd Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to access employment benefits and privileges, please let us know through the application form when you apply.